Corner bead for receiving walls of a body shell and collapsible body shell that can be assembled and taken apart

ABSTRACT

A corner bead for receiving walls of a body shell, having an outer outgrowth, is provided with a rim for hooking a tensile element thereon, and possibly a projection is provided with a transverse retaining area suitable for being inserted into a groove parallel to one edge of a wall of the body shell. Such a corner bead and a tensile element make it possible, at the same time, to assemble a body shell and ensure the transport and storage thereof when same is taken apart.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to an angle element, commonly referred to as “lug” or “corner bead”, for assembling lateral walls of a body shell, and more particularly of a crate, i.e. of which the walls are comprised of battens spaced apart.

The invention also relates to a device and a method for assembling such a body shell comprising corner beads.

Finally, this invention also relates to a body shell that can be assembled and disassembled thanks to such a device for assembling.

“Body shell” means any container or recipient comprising at least two adjacent walls, and intended to contain an object.

Conventionally, the assembly of the different walls of a body shell require the use of means for fastening of the nail, glue, or screw type.

This type of method for assembling however has diverse disadvantages. For example, if the walls are poorly assembled, it is very difficult and even impossible to separate them without damaging a portion of the walls in order to reassemble them correctly.

For example patent FR2805521 is known which divulges a body shell comprising a pair of corner beads (an upper corner bead and a lower corner bead) in order to demountably assemble two adjacent walls of the body shell. However, this type of device for assembling generally requires the use of additional means for fastening in order to maintain the corner beads in position once the body shell is assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the invention is to provide a system for assembling which makes it possible to facilitate the mounting, i.e. the assembly, and the taking apart of a body shell, and confers stability and rigidity to the body shell. Furthermore, the corner beads must be able to be maintained without the use of additional means for fastening. It is as such possible to rapidly proceed with the assembly and the disassembly of a body shell in just a few minutes.

Another objective of this invention is to guarantee the integrity of the device, i.e. of the body shell once mounted, and even the safety of the body shell (no access to the contents).

Another problem raised here relates to the solidity of the device, and even of the assembled body shell. And another, the maintaining of the corner beads, with the body shell assembled.

A corollary problem relates to the rapidity of setting up and/or of removing corner beads, with the body shell assembled. Another, the adjustments in the clearance possible necessary on the body shell, in particular in height.

For this purpose is proposed, a corner bead in order to assemble a body shell, without necessarily using tooling. Each corner bead has spaces oriented according to two transverse directions and adapted to receive walls of the body shell with which the corner bead is able to be assembled, each space being delimited by an exterior lateral wall (an edge wall) and an interior lateral wall of said corner bead. For increased clarity in what follows, the different walls of a corner bead shall be named “partitions” in order to not cause confusion with the walls of the body shell. Said corner bead furthermore have at least one projection provided with a transverse retaining area, said projection being adapted in order to engage into a groove arranged in a wall of the body shell, more preferably parallel to an edge of the wall, and be retained therein via abutment of its transverse area.

Such a form of projection, provided with a transverse retaining area, more preferably flat and thin, extending parallel to the edges (lower or upper) of a wall of a body shell, facilitates the manoeuvrability of the corner beads.

A groove such as considered can have an open or closed contour.

For example, a body shell wall is generally formed using battens, for example, a lower batten, an upper batten and two lateral battens (one right, and one left) called “risers”.

Upper, lower, right and left mean the positioning of the objects under consideration when a body shell is assembled according to the invention.

As such, according to a first example, the groove can be formed only by the lower edge of the upper batten of the wall, such a groove thus has an open contour. In this case, the transverse retaining area of the projection engages under the upper batten.

As such, it is not necessary to carry out grooves, whether horizontal or vertical, in the walls of the body shell in order to be able to fix a corner bead.

According to a second example, a groove such as considered can be a housing of determined dimensions formed in the upper batten of the wall, such a groove thus has a closed contour.

The same can apply with a lower batten.

As such, no nail or tooling is required to assemble the body shell.

More preferably, each groove of the walls of the body shell must therefore be arranged in accordance with the shape and the position of the projection of the corner bead that is must receive.

Typically, two exterior juxtaposed partitions of a corner bead define amongst themselves an angle of 90°. However, this angle can vary in order to adapt to the type of body shell that is sought to be assembled.

More preferably, the projection provided with its transverse retaining area defines an elastically deformable clip. The elastic structure of the projection thus makes it possible to facilitate its insertion and its removal from the groove without damaging the corner bead or the body shell.

More preferably, the transverse retaining area of a projection has an asymmetrical shape, for example in the shape of a knife blade in order to facilitate the insertion and/or the extraction of the projection in the groove.

More preferably, the projection has as such a hooking area, for example a hole, which can be used to insert therein a tool to facilitate the disengagement of the projection from the corresponding groove.

According to an advantageous embodiment, each exterior lateral partition has at least one projection, with each projection able to cooperate with a corresponding groove in a wall intended to constitute the body shell. The presence of projections solely on the exterior lateral partitions of the corner beads makes it possible as such to facilitate the taking apart of the body shell.

According to another advantageous embodiment, each interior partition has at least one projection, each projection able to cooperate with another corresponding groove, arranged more preferably on the inner surface of the walls intended to constitute the body shell. Advantageously, the grooves of the walls of the body shell intended to receive the projections of the interior lateral partitions can be passed through. As such, during the taking apart of the body shell, it is possible to insert a tool in the groove in order to push back the projection towards the interior of the body shell in order to dislodge it and be able to remove the corner bead.

Consequently, in the case where a corner bead has both projections on the interior lateral partitions and on the exterior lateral partitions, it is preferable that the projections of the interior lateral partitions be longer than the projections of the exterior lateral partitions, in such a way that the latter do not obstruct the grooves of the projections of the interior lateral partitions.

Advantageously, the corner bead comprises a transverse partition, and more preferably orthogonal, to the interior and exterior lateral partitions, forming a bottom abutment.

As such, when the transverse partition is an upper partition, the corner bead form an upper corner bead, and the projections are then located on lower ends of the corresponding lateral partitions. When the transverse partition is a lower partition, the corner bead forms a lower corner bead, and the projections are then located on upper ends of the corresponding lateral partitions.

Advantageously, the transverse partition has a guide wall, serving as a lateral abutment to an element (for example another body shell) which would be placed on the body shell, in order to wedge its position. More preferably, the guide wall is located in the extension of the exterior lateral partitions of said corner bead.

These guide walls are advantageously located on an upper corner bead and can have an expanded shape in order to facilitate the superposition of another element on the body shell. These are used in particular to reinforce the maintaining in position of this other superimposed element.

The corner bead can furthermore have diverse other characteristics. For example:

-   -   The transverse partition can have a punched area, for example a         hole, which can allow for the introduction of a tool able to         hook a hooking area of an inner projection in order to         facilitate its extraction from the groove.     -   An upper corner bead can have, on the upper surface of its         transverse partition, anti-slip prongs also in order to         reinforce the maintaining in position of another superimposed         element, for example another body shell. These prongs have more         preferably a pointed shape, tapered, so that a superimposed         element can be fixed thereon.     -   A lower corner bead can have, on the lower surface of its         transverse partition, means for fastening in order to fix the         body shell to a support element, as for example a pallet. These         means for fastening can also be prongs, or clasps, or any other         mechanical hooking system, and also even a chemical means such         as glue.

According to another aspect of the invention, a polygonal body shell is presented comprising:

-   -   walls, with each wall having at least one groove,     -   and several corner beads,

at least one corner bead being of the type of those defined previously.

More preferably, all of the upper corner beads used are identical and all of the lower corner beads used are identical. Moreover, there are as many upper corner beads as there are lower corner beads. Furthermore, it is also possible to have upper corner beads identical to the lower corner beads.

According to a preferred embodiment, the body shell comprises a cover arranged to cover an upper opening that the walls of the body shell defined between them, towards the top of the body shell.

Advantageously, the upper corner beads cover said cover at an angle of the body shell. This type of configuration makes it possible to carry out a seal of the body shell which therefore cannot be opened accidentally. The cover can be removed when one proceeds to disassemble the body shell.

According to another preferred embodiment, the body shell comprises a pallet whereon its walls are arranged.

Advantageously, the lower corner beads are fixed to the pallet, above it.

For the mounting, the walls of the body shell slide into lower corner beads provided with projections which, via elastic deformation, slide into the corresponding grooves of the walls.

The upper corner beads are inserted by sliding them downwards on the upper ends of the walls of the body shell and by pressing on each corner bead until the projections snap into the corresponding grooves.

Then, it is possible to fix a cover.

Disassembly is accomplished via two movements:

-   -   More preferably, first the inner projections of the upper corner         beads are removed from their respective groove, if these inner         projections exist:         -   If the body shell is closed by a cover that is not possible             to remove independently from the upper corner beads, the             inner projections must be dislodged from the upper corner             beads by inserting an object, for example about 7 cm in             length and 7 mm maximum in diameter such as a screwdriver,             into each groove (which must therefore able to be passed             through), the projections will exit from their housing with             a movement towards the interior of the body shell.         -   If the body shell is not closed by a cover or if the cover             was able to be removed, the inner projections must be             slightly separated from the upper corner beads in order to             cause them to exit from their housing and by pulling the             corner bead upwards.

Advantageously, the projections have a notch used as a hooking area, for example a hole, wherein it is possible to insert a tool in order to facilitate the disengagement of the projection.

A tool can then be introduced through the punched areas of the transverse partition of the upper corner beads in order to grip these hooking areas of the inner projections.

The two methods can also be carried out simultaneously if required, i.e. insert a tool in the grooves in order to push the projections towards the interior while inserting another tool in the hooking areas.

-   -   Then, the ends of the projections must be separated from the         exterior lateral partitions in order to cause them to exit their         housing, and pull the corner bead upwards.

In the case where the corner beads have only outer projections, only this second step is then required.

As such, the inner projections can have a geometry that provides them with greater elasticity in order to facilitate the disassembly.

A similar approach is applied to dismount the lower corner beads.

Another solution to at least a portion of the problems raised consists in a device for assembling comprising a pair of corner bead and a tensile element connecting together the corner beads of said pair, in order to pull them towards one another.

The at least partial solution proposed here consists in that that the tensile element comprises an elastic element.

More preferably, each corner bead has, in the angle, an exterior outgrowth, i.e. a protrusion, in order to place therein the elastic element, with this outgrowth being provided with a retaining rim.

As such, the setting in place and the removal are made to be rapid and practical.

According to a first embodiment, the tensile element comprises an extended rigid frame supported towards its opposite ends on the corner beads of the pair in order to pull them towards one another.

Solidity and stiffness in maintaining are as such obtained.

More preferably, each corner bead will thus have a through-passage extending along the direction according to which extends the extended rigid frame connecting the pair of corner beads concerned and on the lateral walls of which the frame will be supported by means for adjusting the length.

A polygonal body shell is also concerned, comprising:

-   -   lateral walls each having, near at least one upper or lower edge         of each side, an extreme portion which comprises here a batten         and an adjacent riser arranged substantially perpendicularly to         one another,     -   and several pairs of corner beads which, along each of their two         exterior lateral partitions respectively receive the risers and         the adjacent battens, with these pairs of corner beads being         those each provided with a said tensile element, of the device         for assembling presented hereinabove.

For the protection and the safety of the contents and the maintaining of the corner beads, body shell assembled, it is preferable that the body shell comprise a cover arranged to cover an upper opening that the lateral walls define between them, towards the top of the body shell, and the upper corner bead of each pair of corner beads covers said cover at an angle of the body shell.

For the same purpose and for the handling, it is provided that the body shell can include a pallet whereon the lateral walls are arranged, with each lower corner bead of the pairs of corner beads being fixed to the pallet, above it.

In order to favor rapidity and practicality in setting in place and in removing, as well as a gain in free interior volume for the loading, it is recommended that the tensile element, or each of them, be arranged outside of the angles of the body shell.

For a stable and sufficiently mechanically resistant body shell, it is recommended that each angle element have, between each exterior lateral partition and an inner partition arranged interiorly (an interior lateral partition), at a distance, substantially parallel to it and along which is arranged at least one polygonal pillar with a section greater than the thickness of the partition and which is arranged in the space located between the interior lateral partition and the exterior lateral partition in order to delimit:

-   -   a first volume wherein is received the riser of the lateral wall         concerned of the body shell which is as such engaged against the         interior lateral partition, and,     -   a second adjacent volume wherein is received the adjacent batten         which is as such engaged substantially against said exterior         lateral partition.

As such, it is not necessary to notch the battens concerned, contrary to the solution of FR2805521 wherein the partitions form transverse structures with regards to the space of which, in addition, they limit the volume. However, the cooperation between notches in the walls of the body shell and transverse reinforcements in the corner beads can contribute to a better maintaining in position of the corner beads and of the walls.

For the solidity and the stability of the device provided with these corner beads, it is recommended that the interior lateral partitions are joined together near said first angle of each corner bead, at the location of a corner from where a connection and abutment partition for the walls of the body shell join an polygonal angle pillar which is arranged against said exterior lateral walls.

In order to favor a gain in free interior volume for the loading of body shells, it is recommended that the bottom of each angle element have a substantially triangular shape and be, on the side where are arranged the partitions and on its portion located outside of the first and second volumes, devoid of any arranged structure rising over a height greater than one-fourth of that of the partitions.

In order to facilitate a stacking of the body shells, it is moreover recommended that, on the surface opposite that where are raised the lateral partitions, the bottom of the corner beads be bordered by abutment walls which converge towards said first angle and wedge in the corners the superimposed body shells.

Additionally, the manoeuvring of these body shells will be further facilitated if each abutment wall is extended by a guide edge inclined towards the exterior and by a height less than that of the abutment wall.

For stability, it is recommended that the abutment walls extend the exterior lateral partitions, until the exterior edge of the corner beads, on the surface opposite the bottom.

For the same purpose, it is recommended that the first angle of the corner beads be truncated and that these corner beads therein be devoid of guide edge and/or that the abutment walls be connected in the angle by an arranged angle wall of lesser height.

For the resolution of at least some of the aforementioned problems, is further proposed a corner bead, having spaces oriented according to two directions and adapted to receive the walls of a body shell with which the corner bead is able to be assembled, with each space being delimited by at least one exterior lateral partition and one interior lateral partition, and said corner bead further having an outgrowth, a protrusion, exterior provided with a retaining rim in order to hook therein a tensile element making it possible to bring closer together two corner beads of this type.

“Exterior” means that the outgrowth is located on the visible surface when the corner bead is assembled with the walls of a body shell for example. Advantageously, this outgrowth is located at the junction of the exterior lateral partitions, in the corner that they form.

More preferably, it also has a projection provided with a transverse retaining area, said projection being adapted to engage in a groove parallel to an edge of a wall of the body shell and to be retained therein via abutment of its transverse area, with the projection and its transverse retaining area as such forming a fastening clip.

Transverse in this case means the fact that the retaining area extends in a transverse direction, even orthogonal, to a direction of the projection.

As such, the use of corner beads having jointly an outer outgrowth provided with a retaining rim and at least one fastening clip makes it possible to both assemble and take apart a body shell easily and rapidly, without requiring specific tools. When the body shell is taken apart and folded, it is as such easily transportable and all of the elements that comprise it are gathered together and maintained together. The presence of a clip is not indispensable when the body shell is folded, but it becomes very useful when it is mounted, for the robustness of the structure, and by safety, in particular if a tensile element were to become defective, for example, if the tensile element were to break. Furthermore, when the body shell is mounted, the joint presence of clips and of outgrowths to which are hooked tensile elements makes it possible to solidify the body shell, and to guarantee very easily a good alignment of the mounting, i.e. in such a way that the lateral walls of the body shell are straight for example. This makes it possible in particular, if several body shells are stacked, to provide that a cover (if the body shell is provided with one) extends horizontally; as such a stack of body shells is more stable.

Advantageously, the transverse retaining area of one of the projections has an asymmetrical shape, for example in the shape of a knife blade, which facilitates the insertion and the extraction of the projection for the fastening of the corner bead and its voluntary removal.

According to an advantageous embodiment, in particular in the case where the projection considered is an inner projection, i.e. integral with an interior partition, at least one of the projections has a hooking area.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the exterior lateral partition of at least one oriented space of the corner bead has at least one projection and the interior lateral partition of the same oriented space has at least one projection, in such a way that the projection of the interior lateral partition is longer than the projection of the exterior lateral partition.

More preferably, the two exterior lateral partitions each have a projection. This embodiment makes it possible as such the simplest implementation.

According to another embodiment, the two interior lateral partitions each have a projection. If the projections are present only on the interior partitions, this makes it possible to have a corner bead of which the removal is more difficult, which guarantees better inviolability of the contents.

If projections are present on the interior partitions in addition to the projections present on the exterior partitions, then the advantages are combined. In this latter case, it is then preferred that the projections of the interior lateral partitions be longer than the projections of the exterior lateral partitions. Indeed, as mentioned hereinabove, this makes it possible to disengage, as chosen, the inner or outer projections first, with the grooves of the inner projections then having to be able to be passed through.

More preferably, a corner bead according to the invention comprises a bottom partition, transverse to the interior and exterior lateral partitions, forming a bottom abutment.

According to an advantageous embodiment, and further advantageously when the corner bead comprises inner projections provided with a hooking area, the bottom partition has a punched area.

According to another advantageous embodiment, each space has at least one transverse reinforcement at at least one of the interior and exterior lateral partitions able to cooperate with a groove orthogonal to an edge of the walls and which can be passed through in order to provide for the relative positioning of the lateral wall of the body shell and of the corner bead. More preferably, each transverse reinforcement is orthogonal to at least one of the partitions, which makes it possible to carry out the corner bead via moulding without requiring machining. The transverse reinforcement and the orthogonal groove have as such orientations that are complementary in order to be able to insert the reinforcement into the groove.

These transverse reinforcements make it possible to rigidify certain portions of the structure. They are however profiled in such a way as to confer, despite their presence, enough flexibility to the corner bead in order to facilitate the insertion, or the extraction, of the projections. It is then required that the opening and vertical grooves be formed in the walls of the body shell in such a way as to be able to receive these transverse reinforcements. They further make it possible to once again provide for the positioning of the corner bead.

Furthermore, it is also advantageous that the corner bead have at least one rib able to sink into the wall for the purposes of wedging, in order to compensate the possible clearances. This rib has more preferably a tapered shape in such a way as to sin kit more easily into the wall during the insertion of the corner bead.

This invention also relates to a device for assembling a body shell comprising lateral walls, and comprising at least a first and second corner beads such as defined hereinabove, and a tensile element adapted to connect together the first and second corner beads while being hooked to their outer outgrowth.

More preferably, the tensile element comprises an elastic element, which makes it possible to connect the first and second corner beads via their outer outgrowth.

Finally, this invention further relates to an assembled body shell which can be disassembled comprising at least one lateral wall, and the following constitutive elements able to be assembled reversibly, i.e. able to be separated in order to take the body shell apart:

-   -   at least one device for assembling such as defined hereinabove,     -   at least one third and one fourth corner beads such as described         hereinabove, with the lateral walls of the body shell being         assembled with the corner beads, and     -   a pallet, forming a bottom wall with the body shell.

The body shell is as such devoid of any other means of maintaining in order to assemble the body shell as a single unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second corner beads define lower corner beads fixed to the pallet on two adjacent corners of the pallet, the third and the fourth corner beads define upper corner beads, the lateral wall is assembled with the two lower corner beads and the two upper corner beads, and the tensile element connects together between them the first, the second, the third and the fourth corner beads. As such, in order to secure and lock the assembly of a body shell, only two tie rods are required. In addition, if the body shell is rectangular, i.e. if it comprises four walls of which two walls opposite are longer than the other two, it is preferred that the tie rods connect the four corner beads located at the four corners of the longest walls, in such a way that the tension in the tie rods is greater. As such the assembly is more robust.

Advantageously, at least two corner beads are fixed to the pallet, for example by nails, glue, or clasps. Fastening corner beads to the pallet makes it possible in particular to limit the number of actions to be carried out during the assembly or the taking apart of the body shell.

Advantageously, the wall of the body shell has at least one orthogonal groove at the edge of the lateral wall and which can be passed through. As such, the wall is able to receive a transverse reinforcement at at least one of the interior and exterior lateral partitions when the corner bead is provided with these.

More preferably, a wall of the body shell comprises at least one groove parallel to an edge of the lateral wall, in order to receive a transverse retaining area of a projection. If there is no horizontal groove, then the corner bead must be dimensioned in such a way that the transverse retaining area grips under a batten constituting the wall.

Advantageously, the body shell, which comprises several lateral walls, comprises a cover arranged to cover an upper opening that the lateral walls of the body shell define between them. The presence of a cover is preferred in order to protect and isolate the content of the body shell when the latter is filled.

Finally, this invention relates to a body shell that is taken apart and which can be assembled comprising at least one lateral wall and the following constitutive elements able to be assembled reversibly, i.e. able to be separated in order to assemble the body shell:

-   -   at least one device for assembling such as defined hereinabove,     -   at least one third and one fourth corner beads such as described         hereinabove, and     -   a pallet, forming a bottom wall with the body shell,

and the device for packing being such that the first and second corner beads define lower corner beads fixed to the pallet, the third and the fourth corner beads define upper corner beads placed on the pallet, at least one lateral wall intended to form the body shell is placed laying down, flat, on the pallet, more preferably above the corner beads, and the tensile element connects together the first and second corner beads.

Advantageously, the two lower corner beads fixed to the pallet are fixed on two corners of the pallet that are not contiguous, for example diagonally opposite for a square or rectangular pallet, which then makes it possible to attach the tie rods as a cross in order to procure a better maintaining of all of the elements together.

As such, for a body shell with four walls, two tie rods are required. Each tie rod then connects two lower corner beads fixed to the pallet via their outgrowth. The tie rods are therefore crossed, which makes it possible to maintain together all of the elements when the body shell is taken apart.

Advantageously, the four lateral walls of the body shell are placed flat and in a cross on the pallet, i.e. crossed two-by-two, more preferably above the upper corner beads, which have been detached beforehand, in order to maintain them in place.

The cooperation of these different elements makes it possible as such to obtain a device for packing of a body shell allowing for its mounting in less than 2 minutes.

Furthermore, such a device facilitates the recycling of the elements and for example the consignment of body shells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, according to a preferred embodiment, shall be well understood and its advantages shall appear better when reading the following detailed description, for the purposes of information and which is in no way restrictive, and in reference to the annexed drawings presented hereinafter:

FIG. 1 is an example of a body shell that can be assembled with corner beads;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the body shell according to an embodiment wherein the corner beads include fastening clips and guide walls;

FIG. 3 a) is a perspective view of the body shell assembled according to an embodiment wherein the upper corner beads have clips and guide walls, and the FIG. 3 b) is a perspective view of the body shell assembled according to an embodiment wherein the upper corner beads have clips but not guide walls;

FIGS. 4 a) to 4 d) show details of areas I to III and III′;

FIG. 5 is a profile view of the body shell assembled according to an embodiment wherein the corner beads include clips and guide walls;

FIG. 6 shows the cross-section A-A of the FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows the cross-section B-B of the FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 a) is a detailed view of the area IV;

The FIG. 8 b) is a perspective view of the area IV;

FIG. 9 a) is a detailed view of the area V;

FIG. 9 b) is a perspective view of the area V;

FIG. 10 a) shows a stack of two body shells according to an embodiment of the invention wherein the corner beads include fastening clips and guide walls; FIG. 10 b) is a detailed view of the area VI and FIG. 10 c) is a detailed view of the area VII;

FIG. 11 shows a first example embodiment of a corner bead able to be used as lower or upper corner bead;

FIG. 12 shows a second example embodiment of an upper corner bead,

FIG. 13 shows a third example embodiment of a corner bead able to be used as lower or upper corner bead;

FIG. 14 a) shows a perspective view of a body shell according to an embodiment wherein the projections of the clips of the corner beads grip onto the battens constituting the walls of the body shell, FIG. 14 b) is a detailed view of the area VIII and FIG. 14 c) is a detailed view of the area IX;

FIG. 15 shows a fourth example embodiment of a corner bead able to be used as lower or upper corner bead, which has interior clips able to grip onto a wall batten of the body shell;

FIG. 16 shows a fifth embodiment of an upper corner bead which has only interior clips able to grip onto a wall batten of the body shell;

FIG. 17 further shows a sixth embodiment of a lower or upper corner bead which has only exterior clips able to grip onto a wall batten of the body shell;

FIGS. 18 and 19 show a pair of corner beads able to be connected by a tie rod, FIGS. 18( a) and b)) are top and profile views of an upper corner bead and FIGS. 19( a) and b)) are top and profile views of a lower corner bead;

FIG. 20 a) shows an assembled body shell, assembled by devices comprising a pair of corner beads and an elastic tie rod, FIGS. 20 b) to 20 d) show in detail the areas X, XI and XII;

FIG. 21 a) shows the body shell of the FIG. 20 a) as an exploded view, and FIG. 21 b) is a cross-section top view of a lower corner bead with lateral walls of the assembled body shells;

FIG. 22 a) shows two superimposed body shells, and FIGS. 22 b) and 22 c) show in detail the areas XIII and XIV;

FIG. 23 shows, as a profile view, a body shell assembled thanks to devices comprising a pair of corner beads and an elastic tie rod;

FIG. 24 shows the body shell of the FIG. 23 as an exploded view;

FIG. 25 shows the superposition of two body shells assembled thanks to devices comprising a pair of corner beads and a rigid tie rod (i.e. rigid frame);

FIG. 26 shows a body shell of the FIG. 25 as an exploded view;

FIG. 27 shows a rigid frame able to be used as a tie rod;

FIGS. 28 to 31 further show another example embodiment of a corner bead able to be used as lower and upper corner bead according to different views, comprising exterior clips and tapered ribs;

FIGS. 32 to 35 finally show the different states of a body shell that can be assembled and disassembled thanks to corner beads comprising clips, tapered ribs and an outer outgrowth provided with a rim in order to hook therein a tensile element in such a way as to connect corner beads together by an elastic tie rod.

The identical elements shown in the FIGS. 1 to 35 are identified by identical numerical references.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

A body shell, such as shown, is polygonal, more preferably with four sides. It comprises four lateral walls 3, a pallet 5 and a cover 4, with these different elements connected to each other thanks to four upper corner beads 1 and four lower corner beads 2. As such, an upper corner bead 1 and a lower corner bead 2 can constitute a pair of corner beads. The body shell is for example rectangular, two of the walls 3 are longer than the two others which are perpendicular to them.

Advantageously, a cover 4 is arranged in order to cover the upper opening that the lateral walls 3 define between them, towards the top of the body shell. The upper corner bead 1 of each pair of corner beads covers this cover, at an angle of the body shell, providing as such its retaining. Such conventional strapping straps are as such avoided.

In FIG. 1, the body is in assembly configuration, soon ready to receive one or several objects in its interior volume delimited by the lateral walls 3 arranged on the pallet 5, at the periphery of the latter with, at each angle, an upper 1 or lower 2 corner bead.

According to this example, the walls 3 are made of wood and are slatted. However, all shapes and materials are suitable here.

Likewise, a pallet 5 is typically an element made of wood, but any type of base or support able to receive a body shell would be suitable.

The pallet 5 can include a leg assembly comprising a series of legs (not shown) which separate it from the ground or several (here three) braces 51 overmounted by a plateau 52 adapted to the shape given by the walls 3.

Here, the plateau 52 is rectangular and forms a bottom more preferably solid and flat for the body shell. Each lateral wall 3 is here as a crate. Each lateral wall 3 comprises several (here three) battens 32 extended horizontally and placed on top of one another, in a spaced manner, and several (here two) vertical risers 33 connecting together the lateral ends of the battens 32.

The battens 32 and the associated adjacent risers 33 are perpendicular to one another on each side of the body shell. They can be made of wood and fixed together, for example by nails. As shown, the risers 33, a priori all identical, have a rectangular or trapezoidal section and are arranged inside the body shell in relation to the battens 32.

On each lateral wall 3, the risers 33 extend from the lower edge 321 of the lower batten 32 to the upper edge 322 of the upper batten 32.

Consequently, at the location of the extreme lower portion of a wall, the lower edge of each lateral wall 3 is formed by the lower edge 321 of the corresponding lower batten 32 and by the lower longitudinal ends of the corresponding risers 33. Furthermore, this lower edge is substantially straight all along the lateral wall 3 considered, which does not as such in particular have a protruding portion downwards.

Opposite, at the location of the extreme upper portion, the upper edge of each lateral wall 3 is formed by the corresponding upper edge 322 of the upper battens 32 and by the upper longitudinal ends of the risers 33. This upper end is also substantially straight along the lateral wall 3, without a protruding portion upwards.

More preferably, a body shell is assembled with a batch of upper corner beads 1 which are all identical and a batch of lower corner beads 2 which are all identical. The upper 1 and lower 2 corner beads can also all be identical, but not necessarily. The lower 2 and upper 1 corner beads could as such be differentiated. As such, the upper corner beads 1 can have, or not have, guide walls 14, for example.

Each corner bead (1, 2) shall be favorably single-block, i.e. of a single piece, and made of plastic material, such as polypropylene, and for example injection-moulded.

However, there are different alternatives for carrying out the upper 1 or lower 2 corner beads.

According to a preferred embodiment, the walls have at least one groove 31 able to receive a projection (111, 121, 211, 221) of a corner bead (1, 2), when these projections are not long enough to be able to grip onto battens of the body shell for example.

Regardless of the embodiment, an upper corner bead 1 has spaces oriented 15 according to two transverse directions and adapted to receive the walls 3 concerned of the body shell with which the corner bead 1 is to be assembled. Each space 15 is open on at least one side, and delimited over two other sides by an exterior lateral partition 11 and an interior lateral partition 12.

In order to receive in a wedged manner the lateral wall concerned of the body shell, each partition 11 of the corner bead 1 considered is as such lined interiorly, at a distance, by the interior lateral partition 12 which is arranged substantially parallel to it.

These exterior lateral partitions 11 converge towards a first angle 18 of the corner bead.

Here, the angle 18 is a right angle, more preferably truncated.

The upper corner beads 1 can also have different structure reinforcing elements 16 as is common in this type of technology. Reinforcements 16 contribute also to the proper positioning of the walls 3 concerned of the body shell with which the corner bead 1 is to be assembled.

The structure reinforcing elements 16 are advantageously constituted of a polygonal pillar, against an interior lateral partition 12. These pillars are a priori identical. They are more preferably rectangular. They are used as a reinforcement and limitation of the space 15, in order to receive against them (and wedge) the walls of the body shell. Their section is equal to approximately half of the width “1” of said space 15, in order to delimit two spaces located between the interior lateral partition 12 concerned and the exterior lateral partition 11 that it is lining.

As such, the two adjacent and interconnected volumes make it possible to receive the battens 32 and the risers 33 concerned. It is preferred that the support surfaces be perpendicular to each other.

The pillars 16 therefore longitudinally limit the first volume, by receiving therein, the riser 33 concerned. These pillars 16 are arranged here towards the end of these volumes, opposite the first angle 18. At this end the second volume is open in 150.

At its longitudinal end close to the angle 18, and therefore opposite that 150 open, this second space is advantageously limited by a partition 114 and, in the alignment, by a portion 124 extending the partition 12. It can as such be considered that the partitions 114 delimit an angle pillar 181.

Each upper corner bead 1 has more preferably, a partition 13 extending transversally to the interior 12 and exterior 11 lateral partitions, forming a bottom abutment. The bottom 13 is advantageously as a solid plate, but can include punched areas.

As such, along each exterior lateral partition 11, and as an abutment against the bottom 13, shall be able to be received, substantially parallel to this partition 11, a lateral wall 3 of the body shell. In the embodiment shown, this is the extreme portion of one of these lateral walls 3 which comprises therefore here, arranged substantially perpendicularly to one another, a batten 32 and an associated adjacent riser 33.

More preferably, the upper surface of the transverse partition 13 of an upper corner bead 1 has anti-slip prongs 131 with, more preferably, a tip with a point, which contribute as such to the maintaining in position of a superimposed body shell.

According to an embodiment (for example shown in FIG. 12), an upper corner bead 1 has two outer projections 111 each joined to an exterior lateral partition 11 and two inner projections 121 each joined to an interior lateral partition 12.

Each projection (111, 121) is provided with a transverse retaining area (112, 122). As such, each projection (111, 121) is adapted to engage a groove 31 arranged in a wall 3 of the body shell and to be retained therein via abutment of its transverse area (112, 122).

In FIG. 12, the inner projections 121 have a shape that provides them with more elasticity than the outer projections 111. Indeed, such a shape can facilitate the taking apart of the assembled body shell. The inner projections 121 thus have more preferably a hooking area 123, here a hole. A hooking area 123 can, for example, be used to insert therein a tool for facilitating the disengagement of the inner projection 121 in order to remove the upper corner beads 1.

In this case, the transverse partition 13 further has more preferably punched areas 132. The punched areas 132 allow for the insertion of a tool to engage the hooking areas 123.

According to this embodiment of an upper corner bead 1, from the transverse partition 13 are arranged: on the side of its lower surface the exterior 11 and interior 12 lateral partitions, and, where applicable, on the side of its upper surface, a guide wall 14. More preferably, the guide wall 14 is located in the extension of the exterior lateral partitions 11 of the upper corner bead 1. More preferably, the guide wall 14 has a slightly expanded shape, i.e. with an edge inclined towards the exterior and of a height h2 less than that h3 of the guide wall, facilitating the positioning of an element (for example another body shell) which is superimposed on the body shell, by favouring as such its wedging.

A corner bead having a guide wall 14 could of course be used as a lower corner bead, but the guide wall 14 would then lose its primary utility, or would render the assembly much less practical.

It can further be provided that, if the first angle (18, 28) is truncated, the corner beads therein be devoid of guide walls 14, or preferably, that these guide walls 14 be carried out in the angle by an arranged angle wall, of lesser height.

Note also that the bottom (13, 23) has in this location a substantially triangular shape and can be, on the side where are arranged the partitions (11, 21, 12, 22) and on its portion located to the exterior of the first and second volumes (15 a, 15 b; 25 a, 25 b), devoid of any arranged structure rising over a height exceeding one-fourth of that of said partitions. It may be that there are no such arranged structures at all, which will release even more space available for the loading of the body shell.

In this embodiment, it is then preferred, when projections (111, 121) are present both on the interior 12 and exterior 11 lateral partitions of the corner bead 1, that the inner projections 121 of the interior lateral partitions 12 be longer than the outer projections 111 of the exterior lateral partitions 11.

Indeed, it is possible to remove an inner projection 121 by inserting, in as much as is possible, a tool into the hooking area 123 by passing through a punched area 132, but it is also possible to remove an inner projection 121 by inserting a tool in the groove 31 (which must then be able to be passed through) which retains its transverse area 122 and by pushing it towards the interior of the body shell. In this case, it is then necessary that the inner projections 121 be longer than the outer projections 111. This length also contributes to giving them greater elasticity.

According to another embodiment (for example shown in FIG. 13), a corner bead, upper 1 or lower 2, has only two outer projections 111 each joined to an exterior lateral partition 11, and provided with a transverse retaining area 112, able to engage a groove 31 in a wall 3 of the body shell. The outer projection 111 is then retained therein via abutment of its transverse area 112. The punched areas 132 are then not required.

In this embodiment, an upper 1 or lower 2 corner bead also does not have a guide wall 14.

However, it goes without saying that an upper corner bead 1 can have a guide wall 14 and comprise only outer projections 111 or only inner projections 121, or not have a guide wall 14 by comprising inner 111 and outer 121 projections.

If an upper corner bead only has inner projections 121, with or without guide wall 14, it then becomes preferable that the inner projections 121 have hooking areas 123 and that the transverse partition 13 have punched areas 132 in order to facilitate the removal of these elements during the disassembly of the body shell. Or then, the groove 31 wherein is engaged an inner projection 121 is more preferably able to be passed through in order to facilitate the insertion of a tool for the purposes of pushing back the clip during the removal of the corner bead.

A lower corner bead 2, shown for example in FIG. 11, has spaces oriented 25 according to two transverse directions and adapted to receive walls 3 of a body shell with which the corner bead 2 is intended to be assembled.

Each space 25 is delimited by an exterior lateral partition 21 and an interior lateral partition 22.

The exterior lateral partitions 21 converge towards a first angle 28 of the lower corner bead 2.

Here, the angle 28 is a right angle, more preferably truncated.

The lower corner beads 2 can also have different structure reinforcing elements 26 as is common in this type of technology. Reinforcements 26 also contribute to the proper positioning of the walls 3 concerned of the body shell with which the corner bead 2 will be assembled.

The structure reinforcing elements 26 are advantageously a polygonal pillar, against an interior lateral partition 22. These pillars are a priori identical. They are more preferably rectangular. They are used as a reinforcement and limitation of the space 25, in order to receive against them (and wedge) the walls of the body shell. Their section is equal to approximately half the width “1” of said space 25, in order to delimit two spaces located between the interior lateral partition 22 concerned and the exterior lateral partition 21 that it is lining.

As such, two adjacent and interconnected volumes shall make it possible to receive therein the battens 32 and the risers 33 concerned. It is preferred that the support surfaces be perpendicular to each other.

The pillars 26 therefore limit longitudinally the first volume, by receiving here, the riser 33 concerned. These pillars 26 are arranged here towards the end of these volumes, opposite the first angle 28. At this end the second volume is open in 250.

At its longitudinal end close to the angle 28, and therefore opposite to that 250 open, this second space is advantageously limited by a partition 214 and, in the alignment, by a portion 224 extending the partition 12. It can as such be considered that the partitions 214 delimit an angle pillar 281.

Each lower corner bead 2 has for example two projections 211 each joined to an exterior lateral partition 21 and two projections 221 each joined to an interior lateral partition 22.

Each projection (211, 221) is provided with a transverse retaining area (212, 222). As such, each projection (211, 221) is adapted in order to engage a groove 31 in a wall 3 of the body shell and be retained therein via abutment of its transverse area (212, 222).

Likewise as for the upper corner beads 1 according to the first embodiment, it is then preferable, when projections (211, 221) are present both on the interior 22 and exterior 21 lateral partitions, that the inner projections 221 of the interior lateral partitions 22 be longer than the outer projections 211 of the exterior lateral partitions 21.

Each lower corner bead 2 also has a transverse partition at the exterior 21 and interior 22 lateral partitions, forming a bottom abutment. The bottom 23 is advantageously as a solid plate.

The transverse partition 23 then comprises on its upper surface, the exterior 21 and interior 22 lateral partitions. On its lower surface, the transverse partition 23 can, for example, have junction elements with the pallet 5, for example nails (not shown here).

As such, along each exterior lateral partition 21, and abutting against the bottom 23, will be able to be received, substantially parallel to this partition 21, a lateral wall of the body shell. In the embodiment shown, this is the extreme portion of one of these lateral walls 3 which here therefore comprises, arranged substantially perpendicularly to one another, a batten 32 and an associated adjacent riser 33.

In order to receive in a wedged manner the lateral wall concerned of the body shell, each partition 21 of the corner bead 2 considered is as such lined interiorly, at a distance, by the interior lateral partition 22 which is arranged substantially parallel to it.

An upper corner bead 1 according to the embodiment of the FIG. 13 for example, can therefore both constitute an upper corner bead and a lower corner bead. Furthermore, an upper corner bead 1 according to this second embodiment is similar to a lower corner bead 2, shown in FIG. 11 for example, but which would not include inner projections 221. In this case, it is possible to assemble a body shell with corner beads that are all identical, indifferently lower or upper.

According to the example embodiments shown, a projection 121 of the FIG. 12 is more easily deformable elastically than a projection 211 or 221. However, all of the projections (111, 121, 211, 221) can have the same shape as the projection 121 of the FIG. 12.

Likewise, only the projection 121 has a hooking area 123, but all of the projections (111, 121, 211, 221) could have a hooking area, such as a hole, in order to facilitate their extraction from the corresponding groove 31.

The transverse retaining area (112, 122, 212, 222) of a projection (111, 121, 211, 221) can also have an asymmetrical shape, for example in the shape of a knife blade such as the transverse area 112, which renders the insertion and the extraction of the corner beads easier.

According to the examples shown, the transverse retaining areas (112, 122, 212, 222) of the projections (111, 121, 211, 221) opposite, for example 222-212 or 122-112, leave between them a space, visible in FIGS. 11 c) and 12 c) for example. Nevertheless, these transverse retaining areas (112, 122, 212, 222) could be wider which would produce a covering of the outer projections (112, 212) by the inner projections (122, 222) without this interfering with the operation of the invention.

The shape of the upper 1 and lower 2 corner beads makes it possible to superimpose the body shells which facilitates their transport and their storage. For example, the upper corner beads 1 are able to receive the pallet 5 of another body shell.

According to other embodiments shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, a corner bead (1, 2) has inner (121, 221) and/or outer (111, 211) projections, provided with a transverse retaining area (112, 122, 212, 222), adapted to engage the edge of a batten of a wall 3 of the body shell and be retained therein via abutment of its transverse area (112, 122, 212, 222).

Likewise, the transverse retaining area (112, 122, 212, 222) of a projection (111, 121, 211, 221) can have an asymmetrical shape, for example in the shape of a knife blade. The inner projections can have a shape that provides them with more elasticity, such as the shape of the projection 121, which makes it possible to facilitate the taking apart of the assembled body shell. Such a projection thus has more preferably a hooking area 123, here a hole, able to be used to insert therein a tool in order to facilitate the disengagement of the projection and remove the corner bead.

In this case, the transverse wall (13) advantageously has a punched area 132. The punched areas 132 allow for the insertion of a tool to engage the hooking areas 123.

It is also possible to remove an inner projection (121, 221) by pushing towards the interior of the body shell the transverse area (122, 222) gripped to a batten of a wall.

It goes without saying that an upper corner bead 1 can have a guide wall 14 and comprise only outer projections 111 or only inner projections 121, or outer projections 111 and inner projections 121, or not have a guide wall 14 by comprising inner 121 and/or outer 111 projections.

When long projections (111, 121, 211, 221) are present both on the interior (12, 22) and exterior (11, 21) lateral walls, it is preferable that the inner projections (121, 221) of the interior lateral walls (12, 22) be longer than the outer projections (111, 211) of the exterior lateral walls (11, 21).

When a corner bead is used as a lower corner bead 2, it is advantageous that the transverse wall 23 then include on its exterior surface, for example, junction elements with the pallet 5 (not shown here).

Likewise, it goes without saying that a lower corner bead 2 can have junction elements with the pallet 5 and comprise only outer projections 211 or only inner projections 221, or both outer projections 211 and inner projections 221, or not have junction elements with the pallet 5 by comprising inner 221 and/or outer 211 projections.

The use of long projections has primarily the advantage of not having to machine a groove 31 in the walls of the body shell.

Favorably, each corner bead (1, 2) thus has, in the angle (18, 28) considered, an outer outgrowth (or protrusion) (19, 29) in order to place therein the elastic element 6. This outgrowth is more preferably provided with a retaining rim that prevents the elastic element 6 from sliding unexpectedly.

It (19, 29) makes it possible, for example, to connect together an upper corner bead 1 and a lower corner bead 2 in such a way as to form a pair, thanks to a tensile element 6, as such making it possible to bring them closer together (here to pull them towards one another).

In order to limit the interior encumbrance which is a synonym of lost space for the loading, it is preferable that each tensile element (6, 7) be arranged to the exterior of the angles of the body shell. Each extends (vertically) over the height of the body shell, between the upper 1 and lower 2 corner beads of the pair considered.

According to a preferred embodiment, the tensile element comprises an elastic element 6. It can be made of extensible rubber.

According to another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, the tensile element can include an extended rigid frame 7 mounted rotatingly on the corner beads (1, 2) of the pair. This frame 7 is provided with means for adjusting the length spread over its length and which is supported by the corner beads, according to the angular position of the frame 7, in order to pull them towards one another.

For this, each corner bead (1, 2) favorably has a through-passage (17, 27) extending along the direction (here vertical) of extension of the frame 7 mounted on the body shell, between the corner beads 1 and 2 (cf. for example the corner beads of FIGS. 18 and 19). Through its means 71 for adjusting in length, the frame 7 as such is supported on the outside edge of the passage (17, 27). This frame 7 can be a screw and the outside edge can be provided with cooperating threads. A manoeuvring tip can facilitate the setting into rotation of the frames 7. Mounted on the body shells, these frames will not exceed respectively below or above the corner beads (1, 2) of the pair considered.

In this solution with frames, each through-passage (17, 27) will be favourably carried out in the immediate vicinity of first truncated angle (18, 28) concerned, in such a way that the rigid frame 7 passes through the angle pillars (181, 281).

The angle pillars (181, 281) are arranged against said partitions (114, 214), in the truncated angle, over a height which can be that of the partitions (11, 12). These angle pillars (181, 281) are here triangular.

With regards to the inner partitions (12, 22), they connect together in the vicinity of this first angle (18, 28), at the location of a corner (120, 220) wherefrom a connection and abutment partition (124, 224) for the lateral walls 3 of the body shell join the pillar (181, 281). The partition (124, 224) is elbowed, here at a right angle, in order to longitudinally limit, at one end, the two volumes (15 a, 15 b; 25 a, 25 b) constituting the spaces (15, 25) of the corner bead considered which are open (downwards for the upper corner beads 1 and upwards for the lower corner beads 2).

In order to favor the balance of the mounting, the outgrowth (19, 29) shall be more preferably carried out on a slanted wall creating a connection between said adjacent exterior lateral partitions (11, 21). The outgrowth (19, 29) can be for example at mid-height H/2 of the partition (cf. FIG. 20 b).

In order to further reinforce the wedging of the corner beads and the robustness of the assembly of a body shell, corner beads (1, 2) can also include tapered ribs 8, as is show in FIGS. 28 and 31 in particular.

In the embodiment shown, a tapered rib 8 is present on a transverse reinforcement 9, and three tapered ribs 8 are present on an interior lateral partition. These ribs 8 could of course be positioned on any partition whatsoever of the corner bead, as long as they sink into the walls of the body shell during the setting in place of the corner bead.

In the embodiment shown, each of the two transverse reinforcements 9 is orthogonal to the interior and exterior partitions of the space oriented wherein it is present.

As such, the corner beads can include transverse reinforcements 9 in order to rigidify some portions of the structure. These transverse reinforcements 9 are profiled in such a way as to confer, despite their presence, enough flexibility to the exterior lateral partitions in order to facilitate the insertion, or the extraction, of the projections when the exterior lateral partitions are provided with them. It is then required that opening and vertical grooves 34 be formed in the walls of the body shell in such a way as to be able to receive these transverse reinforcements 9. They furthermore make it possible to provide once again the positioning of the corresponding corner bead.

As such, an upper corner bead 1 and a lower corner bead 2, both provided with an outer outgrowth (19, 29) form a pair of corner beads able to cooperate with an elastic tensile element allowing for the packaging (for storage for example) and the assembly of a body shell, for example such as shown in FIGS. 32 to 33.

The corner beads of a pair of corner beads can also include ribs 8, projections provided with transverse retaining areas, guide walls, etc. These characteristics can as such be adjusted according to specific needs.

Here, the corner beads of the device allowing for the assembly of a body shell that can be taken apart as well as its packaging when it is taken apart, have fastening clips on the exterior lateral partitions able to engage horizontal grooves 31 formed in the walls of the body shell, an outer outgrowth, tapered ribs 8 and transverse reinforcements 9 able to engage opening vertical grooves 34 formed in the walls.

A body shell that can be taken apart such as is shown then comprises the following constitutive elements able to be assembled reversibly:

-   -   four pairs of corner beads and two elastic tensile elements,     -   a pallet 5, forming a bottom wall with the body shell,     -   four lateral walls, having horizontal 31 and vertical 34 grooves         in such a way as to be able to receive clips and transverse         reinforcements 9.

As such, when the body shell is mounted, the lower corner beads are fixed to the pallet, the walls and the corner beads are positioned as they should be, and each of the tie rods connects between them two lower corner beads and two upper corner beads.

When the body shell is taken apart, the pairs of corner beads and the tie rods are used as a device for packing.

The lower corner beads are always fixed to the pallet 5, but the upper corner beads are now placed on the pallet 5, and the four walls 3 intended to form the body shell 3 are placed, laying flat on the pallet 5, and crossed. The two tie rods then connect between them two lower diagonally-opposite corner beads, in such a way that they form a cross above the walls 3 laying down, which makes it possible to maintain together all of the elements.

This invention as such makes it possible to easily superimpose the body shells, mounted or disassembled. 

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A polygonal body shell having several of sides and comprising: lateral walls each having, near at least one upper or lower edge of each side, an extreme portion which comprises a batten and an adjacent riser arranged substantially perpendicularly to said batten, a plurality of pairs of corner beads comprising, in each corner of the body shell, an upper corner bead and a lower corner bead, each having spaces oriented according to two directions, each space being delimited by at least one exterior lateral partition and one interior lateral partition, and receiving, along each of two exterior lateral partitions, respectively the risers and the adjacent battens; and tensile elements, each of which brings closer together the corner beads of each pair, for pulling the corner beads towards one another.
 19. The polygonal body shell of claim 18, wherein each said corner bead further has an outer outgrowth provided with a rim which is hooked to one of said tensile elements to make possible the bringing closer together of two of said corner beads.
 20. The polygonal body shell according to claim 18, wherein each corner bead further comprises a projection provided with a transverse retaining area, said projection being adapted to engage in a groove parallel to an edge of one of said lateral walls of the body shell and be retained therein via abutment of said transverse retaining area.
 21. The polygonal body shell according to claim 20, wherein the transverse retaining area of one of the projections has an asymmetrical shape.
 22. The polygonal body shell according to claim 20, wherein at least one of the projections of each corner bead has a hooking area.
 23. The polygonal body shell according to claim 20, wherein each space oriented has a transverse reinforcement at least one of the interior and exterior lateral partitions able to cooperate with an orthogonal groove at an edge of the lateral wall facing it, and able to be passed through in order to provide for the relative positioning of said lateral wall facing it and of the corner bead.
 24. The polygonal body shell according to claim 18, wherein the tensile elements comprises at least one elastic element.
 25. The polygonal body shell, according to claim 18, which is assembled and can be taken apart, further comprising a pallet, forming a bottom wall with the body shell, and wherein the corner beads comprise a first, a second, a third and a fourth corner beads, wherein the first and second corner beads define lower corner beads fixed to the pallet on two adjacent corners of the pallet, the third and the fourth corner beads define upper corner beads, the lateral wall facing it being assembled with the two lower corner beads and the two upper corner beads, and the tensile element connecting together the first, the second, the third and the fourth corner beads.
 26. The polygonal body shell, according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the lateral walls has at least one groove orthogonal to the edge of said lateral wall and which can be passed through.
 27. The polygonal body shell, according to claim 18, which is assembled and can be taken apart, further comprising a pallet, forming a bottom wall with the body shell, and wherein the corner beads comprise a first, a second, a third and a fourth corner beads, the first and second corner beads defining lower corner beads fixed to the pallet, the third and the fourth corner beads defining upper corner beads, at least one of said lateral walls intended to form the body shell once mounted being placed laying down on the pallet, and one of the tensile elements connecting together the first and second corner beads.
 28. The polygonal body shell, according to claim 27, wherein the two lower corner beads fixed to the pallet are fixed on two diagonally-opposite corners of the pallet. 